SDC building rooted in area's tomato heritage

Stone County's largest turn-of-the-century industry, the growing, canning and shipping of tomatoes, is reflected in the theme of Silver Dollar City's new multipurpose performance and exhibition center, the Red Gold Heritage Hall.

"With any building Silver Dollar City builds, we have a story line ... with a factual heritage," said Brad Thomas, director of special events for Silver Dollar City. Thomas said according to local historians, "The only crop that could flourish (in the Ozarks) was the tomato crop. red gold' referred to the tomato economy."

According to the history of Stone County, at the height of the tomato industry, about "2,500 farmers were involved with tomato production, and another 2,500 people were employed at up to 38 factories during the canning season." Thomas said the story line for the new Red Gold Heritage Hall was "a make-believe tomato cannery that became abandoned."

Michael Harned, of Butler, Rosenbury & Partners Inc., Springfield, was the architect in charge of the facility's design. "The challenge of the project was to be able to maximize the use of the facility," he said. Harned said the pre-engineered metal building was designed with a 19th century storefront facade made of cedar wood for the guest entrance. According to Thomas, both the interior and exterior of the hall are decorated with large-scale graphics of tomato can labels.

Photos of Stone County's historic tomato canneries also line the walls of the hall, and a custom chandelier with cannery jar "globes" decorates the lobby.

Unique to the 28,000-square-foot building is the custom-built riser-and-stage system.

"It's intended for a multipurpose building so (Silver Dollar City) can have removable risers and a removable stage," said David Atkisson, project manager with Walton Construction Company Inc., of Kansas City, the contractor for the facility, which cost about $2 million to build.

According to Richard Quint, vice president and division manager for the Springfield office of Walton Construction, "It's the second project we've done for Silver Dollar City in six years. We've also built the Dixie Stampede." Quint said he also oversaw the construction of Silver Dollar City's Grand Village shops in 1993.

Thomas said the popularity of Silver Dollar City's special events created a need for more production and entertainment space. "Since 1995, Silver Dollar City has had a special event strategy. We've continued to grow our events. Through that growth, we've had a need for a multipurpose facility."

The Red Gold Heritage Hall will seat 1,800 guests for productions such as performances of the Russian Cossack dance troupe during the park's World Fest 2000, beginning April 5, and Nickelodeon's "Double Dare 2000" during this summer's National Children's Festival.

The risers and stage can be stored, leaving a flat floor facility for other events such as the "Taste of America," part of Festival of America beginning Sept. 7, and "O Little Town of Bethlehem," part of An Old Time Christmas beginning Nov. 4.

The new hall ranks second in seating capacity, compared to the park's 4,000-seat outdoor amphitheater, Echo Hollow.